Part 4: Fundamental solutions for new challenges
Originating from labor relations conflicts, the solution to collective work stoppages needs to be resolved from the grassroots level. At the same time, in the new situation, with its complex nature and unpredictable consequences, preventing and limiting illegal strikes and stabilizing workers' security should be considered an important task not only for trade unions but also for the entire political system.
Author: Diep Thanh - Thanh Chung - Phan Trang
Technique: Diep Thanh
In the context of increasingly deep international integration and the strong development of the labor force, the issue of worker security is posing new and more urgent requirements than ever. This is not only a challenge but also an opportunity to affirm the position of the working class, the important role of trade unions in consolidating harmonious, stable and progressive labor relations.
In the context of increasingly deep international integration, Vietnam has promoted cooperation with countries around the world and actively participated in Free Trade Agreements (FTAs). In a number of FTAs that Vietnam has negotiated and joined, there are provisions on the establishment of organizations representing workers and the implementation roadmap. Accordingly, within 5 years from the date the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) comes into effect (2018-2023), it is allowed to establish organizations representing workers in enterprises. And within 7 years from the date the CPTPP comes into effect (2018-2025), it is allowed for organizations of workers in enterprises to join together to establish organizations at higher levels such as industries and regions.
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In addition, ILO Convention 87 allows workers to establish and join their own organizations at any level. The trade agreement (EVFTA) and CPTPP also allow for sectoral strikes, strikes in response and possibly strikes against socio-economic policies. All of these pose a big challenge to the Vietnamese Trade Union.
In fact, recently, in some southern provinces and cities, taking advantage of the regulations allowing the establishment of organizations representing workers not affiliated with the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor, some groups of people have enticed and incited workers and laborers to not cooperate with employers, demanding the establishment of "independent unions" and "labor representative" organizations. Initially, these groups of people focused on propagating false and distorted content on social media, meeting workers at company gates, boarding houses, etc. to entice them to join the organization with many baseless promises. In addition, taking advantage of the limitations and lack of experience of some grassroots unions, these people have sought to connect with dissatisfied individuals, looking for conflicts between workers and employers, thereby increasing disagreement, inciting workers to protest, strike, and causing insecurity and disorder.
The stability of security, order and social safety is one of the key factors that helps Nghe An become an attractive destination for large investors, in addition to open policies and a large workforce. Attracting FDI projects with tens of thousands of workers is of great significance to the local socio-economic development, but at the same time it also raises many issues in ensuring security and order in the area, industrial park security and worker security.
In addition, the management of grassroots trade unions under the Central Trade Union is also a challenge. For example, in the case of Hoang Thi Loan Textile Joint Stock Company (Halotexco), this company is located in Vinh City, so the City Labor Federation has the responsibility to participate in resolving the issue with the relevant authorities, but its role is only relative, unable to deeply intervene or provide decisive solutions.
In the new context of many opportunities and challenges, Nghe An Trade Union has actively coordinated with the police force, joined hands with the political system and in protecting workers' security, contributing to maintaining political and social stability.
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In proactively preventing worker security unrest, Lieutenant Colonel Ngo Chi Hoan - Deputy Head of Hung Tay Commune Police, recounted: On the occasion of the Lunar New Year 2024, through the work of grasping the situation, the Commune Police discovered a plan to call for a strike by a group of workers at a local enterprise. Immediately, the Commune Police coordinated with the enterprise, the Management Board of the Southeast Nghe An Economic Zone and the trade union to develop a plan to handle the incident, preventing the risk of a "chain reaction" to other enterprises. Lieutenant Colonel Hoan concluded: “With the main motto of prevention, the police force proactively grasps the situation and coordinates with relevant agencies to resolve conflicts in labor relations. The most important thing here is to ensure unity and harmony in the interests of workers and businesses, not to let hot spots and instability occur, leading to risks to worker security and industrial park security, thereby contributing to creating a stable and peaceful environment for businesses to produce and develop.”
Nghe An province, from a "lowland" in attracting foreign direct investment (FDI), has risen to become a bright spot in recent years, continuously entering the Top 10 nationwide. By the end of 2024, the number of employees working in foreign-invested enterprises was 49,000, an increase of 78.18% compared to 2019. In 2025, Nghe An province plans to develop 4 new industrial parks with an area of about 760 hectares.
According to the report on the results of the 6-year review of the implementation of Directive No. 37-CT/TW of the Central Party Secretariat on building harmonious, stable and progressive labor relations in the new situation, the coordination between the Provincial Police with the Provincial Labor Federation, the Management Board of the Southeast Economic Zone, and relevant departments, branches and sectors has helped to stably resolve 25 cases of workers gathering to demand rights and policies from 2019 to present. At the same time, strikes were detected and prevented from happening at 3 enterprises.
To face new challenges and build a solid worker security, trade unions at all levels need to closely follow Resolution No. 02-NQ/TW of the Politburo on "Innovation of organization and operation of Vietnam Trade Union in the new situation". Mr. Kha Van Tam - Chairman of the Provincial Federation of Labor, affirmed: “The Resolution is a guideline for comprehensive and synchronous innovation in the entire system, with flexible suggestions for application in all practical situations. This Resolution emphasizes the strengthening of the Party's leadership, seeking support from Party committees and authorities, efforts to develop union members, innovate activities, improve the capacity of union officials and awareness of workers, and coordinate with departments, branches, and other socio-political organizations. The perseverance and determination in thoroughly implementing Resolution 02 has created a change suitable to the new situation of both the Nghe An Trade Union apparatus and workers. From there, it arouses patriotism, national pride, and enhances political mettle among workers”.
To prepare for the new context, in addition to taking care of the lives and ensuring the rights of workers and laborers, the authorities need to improve current policies and laws to suit the reality. For example, legalizing the role, responsibility, and position of trade unions, regulating the use of trade union funds, and adjusting the policy on recruiting trade union officials. At the same time, perfecting the legal framework, institutionalizing labor representative organizations according to commitments when joining free trade agreements, and synchronizing regulations and guiding documents.
According to the Chairman of the Nghe An Provincial Federation of Labor, improving dialogue capacity at enterprises is a key factor. On the other hand, intervention and witnessing by State management agencies are needed so that dialogues and negotiations have more weight. In particular, in large-scale enterprises, when the conference of employees and the Collective Labor Agreement are attended by the Provincial Federation of Labor and the Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs, the quality and influence will be much greater. Once these mechanisms are effective, they will prevent and minimize the risk of collective work stoppages.
Developing the Party in enterprises is also a strategic solution to create consensus and stabilize labor relations. As in the case of Kido Vinh Company Limited, after nearly 2 years of persuasion and many discussions between the enterprise, the government and the district labor federation, a Party cell was established at an FDI enterprise in Do Luong district. Since then, labor relations at this enterprise have always been assessed as stable and the interests are harmonious, united and developed.
Finally, it is essential to continue investing resources in developing union members, especially in enterprises outside the state sector and the informal sector. At the same time, it is necessary to promote union member development in conjunction with improving the quality of union members and raising awareness, creating an industrial style for workers.
With creative innovations and many breakthrough and synchronous methods, Nghe An Trade Union not only maximizes the strength and potential of union members and workers, but also contributes significantly to ensuring worker security, so that the labor force is truly stable, building a stable economy and a country with sustainable development in the era of national development.
